LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

[HostDave]

We love to hear from our guests. Feedback through comment cards, emails, letters and phone calls is our lifeblood. It’s how we know just what we’re doing right and also any areas that we could tweak slightly to make for a more enjoyable experience for our guests. We don’t take lightly the input from those who have reviewed all their vacation choices, selected the American Queen Steamboat Company, given us their hard-earned money and then devoted time to taking a voyage with us. We know that people trust us with one of their most treasured commodities: their vacation. Feedback helps us make certain we deliver what we promise and what our guests expect.

As you can imagine, we sought out quite a bit of feedback before we relaunched the American Queen in 2012 (and have done the same as we shaped the itineraries and shore excursions for the American Empress in 2014). When you don’t yet have past guests, such input is called market research and focus groups rather than guest feedback but the concept is the same. We always want to hear what you have to say, even if you haven’t yet sailed with us. What can we do to make certain an American Queen Steamboat Company vacation is utterly irresistible?

What we heard time and time again from those we spoke to was that they wanted a vacation that was hassle-free, seamless and avoided inconveniences that created awkward moments. Who hasn’t pushed their way through a crowded airplane aisle to race down the jetway and across an airport terminal to make a tight connection after a delayed arrival at a busy hub airport? We solved that problem by offering a complimentary one-night pre-cruise deluxe hotel stay in the city of embarkation so that even a delayed flight or missed connection doesn’t mean missing the boat…literally.

We also focused on creating an onboard atmosphere that removes inconveniences and pressure as well. Anyone who has taken a cruise and not purchased a shore excursion knows that sinking feeling as the ship pulls up to a dock and you realize that the dock is nowhere near town, the destination doesn’t look like you expected, and you have no idea where to start exploring. You quickly realize you should have purchased one of the ship’s tours so that sightseeing ashore would be a smooth and pleasant experience.

Even though the American Queen Steamboat Company’s destinations in the Deep South, Heartland and Pacific Northwest are far more accessible, walkable and convenient than those often found on a foreign ocean voyage, we make it even easier with our Hop-on/Hop-off complimentary shore excursions in every port of call. Our guests have the peace of mind knowing that they’re not left to their own devices if they choose not to purchase one of our Premium Choice shore excursions which provides the most in-depth explorations. Sometimes, you just want to look around on your own. Our Hop-on/Hop-off concept allows guests to get on and off a tour bus at one of several stops to discover various attractions, historical sites or areas of a town on their own timetable. No rushing through a gift shop or quick walk through an art museum to avoid missing the shore excursion bus departure time. With Hop-on/Hop-off, you’re in charge of your day.

But some of the smaller things that make the biggest differences on board all have to do with beverages. We know it may sound odd until you think about it, but our complimentary beverages create a clubby and friendly atmosphere onboard that makes a voyage with us distinctly different from the alternatives. Our guest comments on our complimentary wine and beer with dinner and the cappuccino, espresso, soft drinks and bottled water which are included throughout every voyage emphasize how much easier it is to make new friends when no one is haggling over the bill for glasses of wine for the table at dinner. Traveling with the American Queen Steamboat Company feels a bit more like visiting someone’s home or, alternately, hosting dear friends in your own. Complimentary soft drinks and bottled water also put everyone in a good mood because the constant need to dig into one’s pocket to pay from something as simple as a root beer or a bottle of water is disruptive. And no one likes feeling as if they are being nickel and dimed to death.

Lastly, we also understand that our guests are savvy travelers and want the most vacation for their money. We offer that with extras such as the complimentary one-night pre-cruise deluxe hotel stay, the complimentary Hop-on/Hop-off excursions and our beverage policy. But occasionally, we sometimes create offers that are too good to refuse. For example, you can currently save $750 per stateroom when you book one of the specified 2013 voyages (just stop by our website for full details).